Customer Reviews

The Times We Had : Life with William Randolph Hearst

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Honestly, I bought this book for the photographs. Having suffered through any number of star autobiographies I was expecting the book itself to be nothing more than at best a guilty pleasure. It was a pleasant surprise to find The Times We Had refreshing, engaging and moving.

In the summer of 1951, Davies began recording her memories of life with Hearst on tape. The book was not published during her lifetime and is a fairly literal transcription of the tapes (with some-- occasionally very odd-- editorial comments). The diction of the book is particularly striking. I suppose this is because it is really captured Davies spoken words. So often in ghost-written celebrity autobiography you have a strange blandness that makes it sound like a poor magazine article. By contrast, even though the book is not written in the most professional way, it has a strong feeling of immediacy and authenticity.

Davies can be astonishingly blunt, and makes no attempt to make herself look better or to filter the events of her life. For example, there is one eyebrow-raising moment where she discusses how disappointed she had been that she did not get to meet Hitler. She had met Mussolini and clearly thought that it would be really cool to meet Hitler as well. This is not the book to read if you are looking for political reflection or self-examination in the context of world events.

That said, it is really hard not to like the Marion Davies of the book. There is a very nice practical energy to her voice that is both refreshing and interesting to read. Anne Lindbergh once said that of all the people surrounding Hearst, she found Davies the most stable. After reading this, I get a sense of what she meant.

As noted, the editorial presence is a little strange. Pfau and Marx are enthusiastic about Davies, but slightly random. The book is published with a foreword by Orson Welles in which he sets out to prove that Marion Davies is not Susan Alexander Kane.

The Times We Had would be great summer reading for a film fan, or for someone looking for something a cut above the typical airplane book. It should also be of interest to people with an interest in Hearst biographical detail.

I love it when I find a book that can make me laugh out loud. This one did/does. I get it out and read it again sometimes when I need a pick-me-up. I can see why "WR" loved her. Her childlike sense of fun, her love of animals, her loyalty to friends, just to name a few. Her loyalty and devotion to "WR" would stand out at a time when he was in dire financial straits. Also, this book is interesting in that it gives us a glimpse of the golden era of Hollywood. There are serious moments in the book, but overall it is light-hearted and amusing. She wasn't really shallow or an air-head. The girl just liked to have fun!

There have been a lot of terrible things said about Marion Davies. She was not just a mistress. She was a talented actress and a very generous person. This book is Marion's real story told in her own words. There isn't anything scandalous in this book but Marion does reveal a lot about her career, her famous friends, and her life with William Randolph Hearst. There are also dozens of photos from Marion's private collection. If you are a fan of Marion or are curious to learn more about her you need to buy this book.

I liked the book quite a bit, I seem to have a slight fascination with Marion Davies and Wm. Randolph Hearst so this was a must when I read the other reviews. I am just surprised that Marion Davies just didn't seem to have any focus or passions in life. She just bounced around in life and let it happen, which maybe is the way it's supposed to be??? Lots of nice photos and it certainly seems to be a truthful book.

my mom bought this book on a trip we took to hearst castle(i had never even heard of marion davies!)i started reading it and couldnt put it down! she was so funny, it really makes you want to go back to the old days to party with her and her movie star friends. ive since seen some of her movies on tcm and i like her even more.

I picked up this book durring a recent trip to San Semion thinking it would be fun to hear all the wild and crazy things that happened in the castle. Well I got that partly, but I enjoyed it more for it's portrayal of early Hollywood. Hearing stories like Davies and Clarke Gable ditching the debut of Gone With The Wind (it was too long) to make prank calls are too good to pass up.

On the surface, Davies seems to have a terrific life of parties, fashion, socialites and more than enough money to spare. But then you realize that she didn't particularly like making movies, hobknobbing with world leaders or going places that Mr. Hearst did. She was just a slightly ditzy girl wanting to romp and have a good time. I felt sorry for most of the time and it got a bit depressing. But it's her free spirited nature that makes to book as enjoyable as it is. Although,I must admit to putting it down to read something a bit more substantial a few times.

I read this book years ago and because of my ongoing interest in WR Hearst and Marion Davies read it again. Marion made some recordings shortly after her long time (30+years) lover W.R. Hearst died in 1951. She then did nothing with them and died in 1961. Two editors in 1975 took these tapes, edited them and the book appeared in 1975. This book is a time capsule of her years with Hearst and the people she met from Carole Lombard to a young Jack Kennedy.

What to know what Charles Limbergh was like personally? G. B. Shaw? What really happened the night Thomas Ince died?

Marion has come back to this world and invites you to sit with her while she tells you how it all was...

Want to know what Orson Wells thought of the comparison of her and Citizen Kane? It is in his forward...

All I can say about this book is WOW.

The conversational style of this book shines a light on the personality and character of Marion Davies. I recommend the book be read in conjunction with "The Chief" by David Nasaw and "Marion Davies" by Fred Laurence Guiles--taken together these books present a unique picture of the people portrayed and the times the lived.

Before Hearst died Marion started recording what she intended to be her memoirs. But he took ill and she eventually abandon it...deciding she didnt want the book published during her life.

After her death notes were added (correcting things she embellished such as her age or explaining things modern readers might not understand) and the book was published in this paperback format. It reads like one long interview, but an enjoyable one at that! Marion had quite a personality and its neat to hear her recollections.

A lot of people try to play her up, saying she was underappreciated in her film work and intellect. Indeed in this book she's quite self depricating...saying she wasnt a good actor or was a silly giggly youngin. Every time she mentions an accomplishment some 'I was no good' remark follows. Marion was indeed talented, maybe not as much as her new defenders say she was, but more so than she gave herself credit.

A lot of charming stories, including ones about Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. A must read for any silent fan!

although not all of her films were master pieces films like
showpeople
not so dumb
the patsy
operator 13
going hollywood
page miss glory
and little old new york are must sees :)

since she is the one tellingthe story its very interesting to see point of view of the things that where going on around her at the time.

her and hearst had a wonderful life just reading about her parties makes you want to jump back in time and join in :)